ELSA

(Emotional Literacy Support Assistant)

What areas does an ELSA help with?

• Loss and bereavement
• Anxiety and worries
• Emotional Literacy
• Bullying
• Self-esteem
• Conflict
• Social Skills
• Emotional Regulation
• Friendship issues
• Growth Mindset
• Relationships
• Social and therapeutic stories
• Managing strong feelings
• Problem solving

The vast majority of ELSA sessions are proactive, meaning that there are targets for the ELSA to achieve with the child or young person. This makes the intervention measurable so the school knows the child or young person has made progress and the intervention has been successful. These targets are known as SMART – specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time limited. 

ELSA runs in 6-8 weeks programmes for around 30 minutes a week. Sessions are confidential and can be extended if the ELSA feels this is appropriate.